Holiday Toy Drive

On Tuesday, December 20th and Wednesday, December 21st, 2011 The Family Place staff held the annual Holiday Toy Drive. This year, more than 400 toys were given to children of current and past TFP participants. This year event was possible thanks to the generous donations of Dickstein Shapiro LLP and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Thank you and Happy Holidays!!

TFP Holiday Party!

On Monday, December 12, over 100 people gathered at The Family Place to celebrate the end of classes. The Early Childhood Education Program coordinated activities for the children while students ate a delicious lunch (prepared by TFP participants) and enjoyed the company of fellow TFP participants. Family Literacy Instructor Aimee Kelley led the partygoers in holiday songs as students were invited one by one to take a picture with Santa (don't tell the kids, but Papa Noel was out of town that day, so board member Jose Ygoa kindly offered to stand in for him). Thanks to Santa (and the incredibly generous donations we received), each family left the party with several gifts in hand. We are proud of the many accomplishments our participants have made throughout 2011 and are excited to continue to serve our community in the new year.

Computer Literacy Class

A new Computer Literacy class for beginners will start on Monday, January 12th, 2012. Class will be offered in Spanish Monday and Wednesday from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at The Family Place. This fantastic opportunity ispossible through a collaboration with Byte Back. To learn more, please call The Family Place at (202) 483-0149.

Thanksgiving party - November 2011

On Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011 The Family Place staff and over 130 participants celebrated Thanksgiving. During the party families did some arts and crafts and enjoyed a turkey donated by The Potter's House and other good holiday food. Just before lunch TFP organized a riffle and 25 bags and certificates valid for a free turkey at the grocery store were given away to our participants. We hope you had a great Thanksgiving as we did.

To see pictures from our Thanksgiving party, please visit our Flickr account.

Participant Story

We are pleased to share with you the story of one hundreds of families The Family Place has helped throughout the years. The names of those involved have been changed to respect their privacy. 

Eva first came to The Family Place (TFP) in 2006 with her 2 young daughters, Diana and Alicia.  Eva had recently migrated from Mexico, and had moved to the District in hopes of finding a better life and education for herself and her small family. 

Eva lived with her husband who provided for her financially but did not support or spend time with the family.  Eva felt isolated and alone, and came to The Family Place in search of assistance and care.

The Family Place became a second home to Eva and her children; she began participating in TFP’s domestic violence support group and quickly became friends with the other women and instructors of the class.  Eva also joined the ESL classes and parenting classes, and Diana and Alicia spent the day in the Early Childhood Education classrooms being read to, sang to, and learning English words.

Eva was active in her classes until continual doctor’s visits for Diana kept increasing each month.  The little girl had continuous colds and fever, and although antibiotics were prescribed, nothing seemed to help.  The Family Place staff suggested she finally take Diana for blood work, and the results were shocking.  Diana was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at two years of age.

The news devastated Eva’s family.  TFP staff, including a doctoral practicum doctor in training, Natalia, were the first to respond and react to Eva’s needs.  Natalia took Eva and Diana to many hospital visits, accompanying them through arduous doctor’s visits and interpreting everything into Spanish for Eva.  Diana began chemotherapy and the side effects were horrifying in such a small child.  Diana lost her hair and her small face and arms were swollen from all the medication needed to increase her white blood cells.

Eva’s husband left her after a year of hearing this diagnosis, so Eva was left to fend for herself as a single mother.  The Family Place continued to provide support for her and her two daughters.  Natalia provided individual counseling for Eva while the two girls were looked after in our center.  Eva and her children ate hot lunch at our center every day, and friends and staff visited Diana in the hospital for many months.

Today, Diana is home living in remission, but smiling and playing as a normal six year old.  Her chemotherapy lasted for two and a half years, ending in November 2009, but she will continue receiving medication and doctor’s visits for the rest of her life for the cancer not to return.

Diana’s story has been one of survival and hope among our families at The Family Place, a center which provides families with support services to foster the optimal development of their young children.  The Family Place continues to provide educational and support services to low-income families in order to help them survive and thrive in order to create a better life for themselves and their children.

  

   

Looking for a way to help?

Please consider volunteering for The Family Place. A great way to give back is to support our Early Childhood Educators. Find our lsiting on Idalist.org here and VolunteerMatch.org here.

To learn more about our volunteer opportunities please visit our Volunteer/Intern page on our website or call us at 202-265-0149.

Different medias on TFP Domestic Violence Awerness Event

In El Tiempo Latino and El Pregonero.


From El Pregonero online

 

í No Mas Violencia! New pictures from El Zol

Please visit this link to see more pictures from the Community Forum No Mas Violencia! on the El Zol website. The event was held on Friday, October 14th, 2011.

Pedro Biaggi with TFP staff members and supporters.

Border Crossings - an afternoon with Ann

Yesterday, Sunday, October 16th, 2011 Ann Barnet presented her new book Border Crossings: A Spiritual Journey in Medicine. Many friends and supporters of The Family Place joined her to hear her story and experience in medicine and The Family Place journey.

Please click here to see more pics from the event.

Pictures from the Community Forum on Domestic Violence Awerness

Informate... Reacciona... Enciende una LUZ!

To see pictures from the 2011 Community Forum on Domestic Violence Awerness, please visit our Flick account.

Get Informed, React, Light a Candle

In honor of the Domestic Violence Awerness month, The Family Place's support group Circulo de Mujeres Latinas en Accion, in collaboration with El Zol will be hosting a community forum to help people get informed and take a stand against domestic violence. People from the community are invited to join the group and wear white.

The event will be held at 

Saint Stephen Church

1525 Newton St NW
Washington, DC 20010

For more information contact Katherine Rosas at 202-265-0149.

Clothing Drive

The Family Place will have a clothing drive on Friday, October 21st between 10:00AM and 12:00PM. Please share the news.

Interview with TFP Executive Director on CNN tonight

Tune in to CNN tonight to watch an interview of Executive Director Haley Wiggins together with Mark Hugo Lopez,  Associate Director of the Pew Hispanic Center. Mr. Lopez recently published a report entitled Childhood Poverty Among Hispanics Sets Record, Leads Nation, which you can read here.

The interview will be presented tonight on the program USA Directo with Juan Carlos López at 6:00PM.

New The Family Place Website

The Family Place is happy to present its new website: new layout, new content, and plenty of new pictures.

Please visit http://www.thefamilyplacedc.org/

Thanks to all the people that made this happen.

Book release - Border Crossings: A Spiritual Journey in Medicine

Ann Barnett, founder and board member of The Family Place, is going to relaese a new book Border Crossings: A Spiritual Journey in Medicine. This book explores her experience in the medical field and the history of The Family Place.

The realese party is going to be held at the Potters House on Sunday, October 16th from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. The event inclueds book reading, author Q + A, and signing. Light Refreshments will be served. Copies of the book, which is published by The Potter's House Bookservice, will be available for $16.95 plus tax. Proceeds to benefit The Family Place.



Ann Barnett, far right, at a recent fundraising event

The Potters House is located on 1658 Columbia Road NW, Washington, DC.

Border Crossings: A Spiritual Journey in Medicine



A witty and profound memoir, Border Crossings: a spiritual journey in medicine is the story of one woman's journey in science, faith and identity in the midst of the tumultuous currents of the twentieth century. Harvard-trained physician and neuroscientist Ann B. Barnet, in her unique and insightful voice, describes her boundary-breaking journey from brain research to serving immigrant children and families. She invites the reader into the life of The Family Place, the refugee center she founded in Washington, D.C., and she illuminates the lives of real people at once caught in violence and war yet driven by fierce hope. She boldly invites the reader into her reflections on her own life and her process of finding her way as a physician, mother, daughter, Christian, progressive, and children's advocate. Border Crossings is a timeless affirmation of the power of faith, community, and family.

Back to School

With Monday, September 6th the Family Literacy classes started again. Welcome back to our past students and welcome to The Family Place to all the new families that joined us last week!

Our Family Wellness classes will be starting tomorrow Wednesday, September 14th with Parenting class.

Meet the Director of Social Services/ HIPPY Coordinator

Name: Katherine Rosas
Title: Director of Social Services and HIPPY Coordinator
At TFP since: September 2009


What brought you to TFP?My interest on working with the Latino community.
What do you like best about working at TFP? The opportunity to provide our families the resources they need to accomplish their goals.
What have you learned from your experience at TFP? The importance of being in good shape not only physically but also mentally.
What do you like to do in your free time? Dance, travel, watch movies...
Do you have/want pets? No I don't have any.
What is your favorite song/band? Juanes and Shakira are two of my favorites
Where was your favorite vacation and where would you like to go on one that you've never been? I remember going to San Andres. This is an Island in my home country Colombia. I would like to go to Australia
What super power would you most like to have? To be invisible.
Favorite quotation? Live each day as if it was your last one!!! Not sure this is the right way to say it in English but that's the idea.
Favorite Holiday? Xmas.
Favorite Food? Colombian Food of course jajaj.
How many languages do you speak?
Two, Spanish and English.

Last day of summer class

On Thursday, August 5th, 2011 the Family Literacy Program held a party to celebrate the end of summer class. Students had the chance of presenting their final project, a Power Point slideshow on their country. Every student, staff members, and volunteers brought a typical dish from their country.

The Family Literacy program (ESL, Computer, Parenting, Early Childhood, and Spanish classes) wills start again in September.

Parents with children up to 8 years old are invited to come to the registration on August 29th at 10:00 am.

To see more pictures from the last day of class, please click here.

Clothing Distribution

The Family Place will be having a clothing drive on Tuesday, August 5th, 2011 starting at 10:00 am. If interested, please come to our office on 3309 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20010.

Sandy Point Beach

On Thursday, July 28th, 2011 The Family Place staff and students enjoyed a beautiful day at Sandy Point Beach. Please visit our Flick account to see pictures from our latest field trip.

Summer Class!!

On Tuesday, July 5th we had the first day of summer class! Welcome to our new students!

Registration for Summer Class

Tomorro, Tuesday, June 28th, 2011 The Family Place will held registrations for summer class. The appointment is at 10:00 pm for an overview of the Family Literacy program and individual registration and appreasal.

Summer class will start on Tuesday, July 5th, 2011 and end of Thursday, August 4th, 2011.

Diaper Drive

Tomorrow, Thursday June 23rd, 2011 The Family Place will be hosting a Diaper Drive from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm. If you need baby diapers, please come to The Family Place with your child.

Thank you!

The Family Place team

Meet the Pre-school teacher/ Early Chilhood Coordinator

Name: Alessandra Gonzalez
Title: Pre-school Teacher and Early Childhood Coordinator
At TFP since: March 2010

What brought you to TFP?

I moved to DC because I wanted to get out of Florida and live in a city. I also wanted to work with children in the community where I lived so TFP was the perfect fit!

What do you like best about working at TFP?

I like the friendly environment that we work in. Everybody gets along and we have become a nice family!

What have you learned from your experience at TFP?

Through TFP I have learned how much I enjoy working with children.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love watching movies! At home or going to the theatre.

Do you have/want pets?

Not yet! But if I could I’d have a dog (preferably one that is already potty trained.)

What is your favorite song/band?

It is too hard to choose a favorite song but I love the band Bacilos.

What is your favorite season and why?

Fall is my favorite season. Being from Florida we don’t really have seasons, so seeing the leaves change still impresses me! I also love how the weather eases into cool  from the summer heat.

What super power would you most like to have?

I would love to be able to read minds! I think it would be amazing to be able to understand and listen to the minds of my pre-school students!

Favorite quotation?

“…don't spend your time lookin' around
For something you want that can't be found
When you find out you can live without it
And go along not thinkin' about it
I'll tell you something true
The bare necessities of life will come to you”

Favorite Holiday?

I love New Years. New Years used to be a huge let down, but for the past 5 years my parents have thrown a big party at our house in Orlando and a lot of our family comes down to celebrate new years with us.

Favorite food?

Fried plantains!

Do you have any nicknames?

People call me Ali, Ali G., G. and “la dominicana”

What did you like best about your hometown?

I grew up in Orlando, Florida and it is always warm there.

How many languages can you speak?

I speak Spanish and English and I pretend to speak Italian.

Tell me about the funniest experience you had speaking a different language from your native language?

One time I was in Italy and like I said I was pretending to speak Italian and the owner of the restaurant realized that I was really just speaking Spanish with an Italian accent and random Italian words and he made me repeat what I was trying to say in Italian, correctly in front of the whole restaurant!

What do you like best about the DC area?

I had never lived in a city before Washington DC so I love the whole vibe of living in a city!

Meet the ESL/ Civics/ Computer Teacher

Name: Aimee Kelley
Title: ESL/ Civics/ Computer Teacher
At The Family Place since: August 2010

What brought you to TFP?

I used to do similar work at another place, and I knew a lot about The Family Place because I had a friend working here and I’d always been a fan.

What do you like best about working at TFP?

I really enjoy my students and co-workers. The people make the experience and TFP is filled with great people in every capacity.

What have you learned from your experience at TFP?

More Spanish than I already knew.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I am a musician, so I spend a lot of my free time playing music in one capacity or another. I also LOVE games.

Do you have/want pets?

No pets for me.

What is your favorite song/band?

Tough call! I think my favorite song is probably “Because”, by The Beatles. I dig vocal harmony.

Where was your favorite vacation and where would you like to go on one that you've never been?

London has been my favorite so far, but I really want to go to Italy.

What is your favorite season and why?

Autumn. I like to layer my clothes without getting too hot or cold

What super power would you most like to have?

Telekinesis! Or I’d love to be able to teleport and cut down on my commute.

Favorite quotation?

"Don't you ever let a soul in the world tell you that you can't be exactly who you are."  — Lady Gaga

 Favorite Holiday?

Earth Day!

Favorite food?

Cheese.

Do you have any nicknames?

Aimes (Friends), Aimis(Middle School), Boogie (HS), Miss Aimee or Mouse (Extended Family), Jade Dynasty (Drumline)

What did you like best about your hometown/ country?

Pretty much everyone plays and loves music there.

How many languages can you speak?

Well I’ve studied 5 (English, Spanish, Chinese, German, Japanese), but I can only hold conversations in English and Spanish

Tell me about the funniest experience you had speaking a different language from your native language?

I had a lot of language flubs in my days of study. Once in Mandarin Chinese class I called my teacher’s mother something inappropriate by accident.

What do you like best about the DC area?

That there are so many free museums and so many great places to eat.

First day of class!

Today is the first day of class for this semester. In addition to some of the mothers we already had in the Fall, 14 more moms joined us for this semester. This means that the Infant and Toddler and the Pre-school classes welcomed new students as well!

It is all very exciting. Pictures will soon be posted.

Appraisal, Placement Test, and Registration

Another semester is about to begin! During this week the TFP staff is being busy with giving the appraisal to potential new students. Tomorrow we are going to administer the placement test. According to the test results, children' age, and available space in class, new students we'll divided between morning - Intermediate Class - and afternoon - Basic Class.

Have a happy new semester start!

Happy New Year

Happy 2011 from The Family Place! We wish you all the best!